World Mosquito Program

The World Mosquito Program (WMP) is a not-for-profit initiative that works to protect the global community from mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, Zika, yellow fever and chikungunya. WMP uses naturally occurring bacteria called Wolbachia to reduce the ability of mosquitoes to transmit viruses that cause life-threatening disease.

A growing body of evidence to support the efficacy of the method includes a randomised trial in Indonesia showing a 77% reduction in dengue incidence in areas treated with Wolbachia. In the decade since implementation began in north Queensland, dengue has effectively been eliminated as a public health concern. Ongoing projects in Asia, the Pacific and the Americas continue to accumulate promising results.

Multiple risk analyses conducted on the Wolbachia method have concluded that it is safe for people, animals and the environment. WMP is funded through major grants, government departments and philanthropic supporters from all over the world.